Author Kathryn Stockett may have to go back on the defensive as the housekeeper of a relative is seeking to have a lawsuit against the author reinstated in a Hinds County, Mississippi court.

Ablene Cooper, who has worked as a housekeeper for the author’s brother, previously had her lawsuit dismissed because it was ruled the statute of limitations had expired. Cooper insists that Stockett used her likeness for creative inspiration in writing “The Help.” In the book, which takes a look at the relationship between white families and their African American housekeepers in 1960s Mississippi, the main character is a woman named Aibileen Clark.

Cooper insists that she was Stockett’s muse for the Clark character and is seeking damages in the amount of $75,000. Stockett did provide Cooper with a copy of the novel in 2009 and a handwritten note expressing her pleasure at meeting Cooper a few times, but reassuring the woman that she was not the inspiration for the character.

Stockett, who recently surpassed the one million copies sold mark on Kindle, has experienced a great deal of success with “The Help.” It was recently adapted for the big screen and debuted with $26 million in ticket sales this past weekend.

What do you think of this lawsuit? Warranted? Too little too late? Share your thoughts in the comment below?

The proliferation of eBooks is making it easier and easier for everyone to carry as many books as they like at one time. While thousands of authors are out there penning work for eBookstores, few of them have reached the heights of Janet Evanovich and Kathryn Stockett.

The two authors just achieved millionaire status, but not the monetary sort. Evanovich and Stockett are the latest members of Amazon’s “Kindle Million Club,” meaning they have both sold at least a million copies of one piece of work.

While both writers’ feats are impressive, Stockett’s is particularly stunning. Her novel, “The Help,” was #1 on the New York Times’ bestseller list and recently adapted for the big screen. Even more impressive, she is the first author to reach millionaire status with her debut work.

The trailer for the movie adaptation of Kathryn Stockett’s book THE HELP has been released, and we can now finally get our first look at the characters we have come to love on the page come alive.

So what do you think? Is it close to what you had imagined while reading the book? I personally think it looks pretty good and it’s been a movie that I had been looking forward to ever since it was announced. And if you haven’t read the book, you must pick it up now, it’s wonderful (you can read our review here).

And if you are interested in seeing more about the movie, head over to Daemon’s Movies. But for now enjoy the trailer below.

According to the lawsuit, Kathryn Stockett was “asked not to use the name and likeness of Ablene” before The Help was published. Cooper is embarrassed by Aibileen’s portrayal in the book and is seeking $75,000 in damages.

For her part, Stockett has always stated that Demetrie, the maid she had while growing up during the 1970s, was the inspiration for Aibileen. However, there were signs of trouble before this. According to the New York Times:

[Stockett] said that “The Help” was coolly received by some in her hometown. “Not everybody in Jackson, Mississippi’s thrilled,” she told Katie Couric of CBS News last year, acknowledging that a few “close family members” were so unhappy that they were not talking to her.

I think it’s worth noting that the Aibileen character in The Help is portrayed in an overwhelming positive way. The woman is practically a saint: she’s kind, loving, patient, smart, and brave. The villains of the books are several of the white women who treat the black maids they employ terribly. However, many people have taken issue with Stockett’s decision to write the maids’ voices in a thick dialect. In this interview with Time, the author herself wonders if she should have written the language differently.

So what do you think about this lawsuit? Would you be embarrassed to find yourself written into a bestselling book?

Follow me on Twitter @kristendaemons

The month of June is National Audiobook Month and Jen at Devourer of Books is hosting daily discussions of audiobooks all this week. I’m a huge audiobook addict and you might have noticed that many of the book reviews Jose and I do are of audiobooks. We started listening to them a few years ago to make our respective commutes to work go by faster. Since then, I’ve also started listening to them on the treadmill or while doing chores. I love them because they allow you to do two things at once and they make boring tasks a lot more fun.

In honor of Audiobook Week, I thought I’d share some of my all-time favorites:

Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim by David Sedaris
I consider David Sedaris’ audiobooks to be some of the best out there, and I think they are a great starting point for a newbie. Sedaris narrates them himself with perfect comedic timing and delivery. I picked Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim because just thinking about the southern accent he does when imitating his brother Paul (aka “The Rooster”) makes me giggle, but all his audiobooks are awesome. Check out my review of Live For Your Listening Pleasure here.

The Time Traveler’s Wife by Audrey Niffenegger
The Time Traveler’s Wife is one of my favorite books in general, but it works particularly well as an audiobook. William Hope (Henry) and Laurel Lefkow (Clare) narrate the unabridged version. Since the book switches back and forth between Henry and Clare’s perspectives, having a male and a female narrator works perfectly. It has been awhile since I listened to this one, but I can still hear the longing in Clare’s voice as she waits for Henry.

The Help by Kathryn Stockett
The Help audiobook was my favorite book of 2009. It’s narrated by Jenna Lamia, Bahni Turpin, Octavia Spencer, and Cassandra Campbell. Minny, who is sassy and speaks with a thick dialect, is brought to life by Bahni Turpin. Octavia Spencer (who will actually play Minny in the movie version) is the calm, thoughtful Aibileen, and I really connected to her character. These ladies deliver wonderful performances with authentic southern accents (to my Yankee ears) that made me feel like I was actually in the South during the 1960s. I can’t recommend this one highly enough. (Read my full review here.)

Twilight series by Stephenie Meyers
When I started listening to the Twilight audiobook, I was instantly captivated by Ilyana Kadushin’s rich, textured voice. She narrated Bella so perfectly that, to me, she IS Bella. If I go back and read a passage from one of the Twilight books, it’s her voice I hear in my head.

Harry Potter series by JK Rowling
I know a lot of people list the Harry Potter audiobooks among their favorites, but there’s a reason for this—they are GOOD. I’ve listened to the US version of the audiobooks, which are narrated by talented English actor Jim Dale. He created a different voice for each character, which is just amazing considered how many characters are in the series. His Hermione is a little whiny, but he captures most of the other characters perfectly. He really gets into it and delivers a performance, rather than a narration.

So have you listened to any of my picks? What are some of your favorite audiobooks?

This week I read “The Help“ by Kathryn Stockett. I’ve been wanting to read it ever since Kristen posted her review. Since I feel that most people have already read this book by now, I decided it might be fun to start a discussion. I took some questions from the author’s website and have given my answers for each one. Please copy the questions into the comments field and fill in your own answers!

1. Who was your favorite character? Why?

My favorite character was Aibileen. There was so much to love about her. For starters she not only saw the beauty in others, but wanted them to feel it too. I loved how she was always making Mae Mobley say that was a kind girl and a smart girl when everyone else was always putting her down. I thought Hilly was pure evil, but Aibileen was able to find good in her when she observed the way she treated her children. Another thing that endeared me to Aibileen was how all her friends were trying to get on her ‘prayer’ list because she was meant to be on the VIP list with God. That reminded me of my grandmother.

2. What do you think motivated Hilly? On the one hand she is terribly cruel to Aibileen and her own help, as well as to Skeeter once she realizes that she can’t control her. Yet she’s a wonderful mother. Do you think that one can be a good mother but, at the same time, a deeply flawed person?

I think fear and hatred motivated Hilly. If she honestly believed that African American people carried different diseases and needed separate bathrooms, separate places to put their food, etc, then why would she let an African American woman raise her children? I don’t feel she believed these things at all but was filled with so much hatred that she used those reasons as excuses. I think anybody can be a good mother, but that doesn’t make you a good person.

3. Like Hilly, Skeeter’s mother is a prime example of someone deeply flawed yet somewhat sympathetic. She seems to care for Skeeter–and she also seems to have very real feelings for Constantine. Yet the ultimatum she gives to Constantine is untenable; and most of her interaction with Skeeter is critical. Do you think Skeeter’s mother is a sympathetic or unsympathetic character? Why?

I felt like Skeeter’s mother was Hilly mixed with Elizabeth. She critiqued Skeeter all the time (Like Elizabeth to Mae), but was more affectionate and a but more sympathetic. However, overall,I found her to be an unsympathetic character. Her treatment towards Constantine was unforgivable and she was not supportive of Skeeter.

4. How much of a person’s character would you say is shaped by the times in which they live?

A huge portion. People are fearful of change and they trust what they know – even if it’s wrong. It’s easy for me to look down my nose at Hilly for example, but who knows what I would have been like in the same situation. I’d like to think I would be nothing like Hilly and the girls, but I am also over 40 years in the future living in California so who knows what I would have been like?

5. Did it bother you that Skeeter is willing to overlook so many of Stuart’s faults so that she can get married, and that it’s not until he literally gets up and walks away that the engagement falls apart?

YES. I kept waiting for Skeeter to ask Stuart his political views to see she he was a suitable match, but she was willing to marry him no matter what! Stuart could have felt the same way on matters as Hilly, but that didn’t seem to bother her. Why?

6. Do you believe that Minny was justified in her distrust of white people?

Yes, she had been jilted so many times I thought it was more than justified. Especially since back in Mississippi during those times you’d be killed for telling your stories to white people like she did. She had 6 children, and job she needed to keep and was risking her life to tell a white girl her stories. She was more than justified to not trust Skeeter and Celia.

7. Do you think that had Aibileen stayed working for Miss Elizabeth, that Mae Mobley would have grown up to be racist like her mother? Do you think racism is inherent, or taught?

Mae Mobley was constantly being put down by her mother so it’s hard to say how she would have come out. Would she have always clung to Aibileen and continued to believe that Aibileen was “more right” than her teachers and mother? Or would a day have come when Mae would have wanted the acceptance of her mother and friends and acted as they did? I feel like racism is a choice, and as a white person in Jackson, Mississippi during that time maybe it was the easier choice to make. I like to think that Mae Mobley would have grown up to be like Skeeter and would have had a mind of her own.

8. From the perspective of a twenty-first century reader, the hairshellac system that Skeeter undergoes seems ludicrous. Yet women still alter their looks in rather peculiar ways as the definition of “beauty” changes with the times. Looking back on your past, what’s the most ridiculous beauty regimen you ever underwent?

Tanning beds! I think my children will laugh when they see pics of my teenage self looking orange.

9. The author manages to paint Aibileen with a quiet grace and an aura of wisdom about her. How do you think she does this?

Yes. To me Aibileen was the embodiment of wisdom, calm, and grace.

10. Do you think there are still vestiges of racism in relationships where people of color work for people who are white? Have you heard stories of parents who put away their valuable jewelry before their nanny comes? Paradoxically, they trust the person to look after their child but not their diamond rings?

I haven’t had any experience with this. What do you think?

11. What did you think about Minny’s pie for Miss Hilly? Would you have gone as far as Minny did for revenge?

I thought it was extremely funny but disgusting at the same time. I would NOT have gone as far as Minny but only because I would have never had the guts to. Minny was such a lovely character in my opinion. I’ve met several women similar to her in my time. Women that are tougher than nails but secretly have a heart of gold and are always looking out for their friends. I also loved when Minny discovered the check Ceila had written out to Hilly that said “For Two-Slice Hilly”.

Here are the questions to copy/paste into the comments section:

1. Who was your favorite character? Why?

11. What did you think about Minny’s pie for Miss Hilly? Would you have gone as far as Minny did for revenge?

It’s hard to believe that 2009 is coming to a close and we’re about to enter a new decade. As the end of the year approaches, I’ve been looking back at all the books I’ve read in 2009 and I made a list of a few that stood out from the rest. These might not be the best books of the year, but they are books that I had fun reading.

The Help by Kathryn Stockett

The Help is easily the best book I read all year (maybe even the past few years) and you can read my full review here. I rated it 5 out of 5 stars because it has a page turning plot and characters that are so real that they feel like old friends by the end of the novel. The Help became a sleeper hit over the summer thanks to word-of-mouth recommendations (I know I’ve told anyone who will listen that they MUST read this book) and it’s still holding steady on the NYT bestseller list. It’s set in the 1960′s but the story is timeless and I think it has a universal appeal that makes it an excellent choice for gift giving.

The Scarecrow by Michael Connelly

Newspaper crime reporter Jack McEvoy, last seen in The Poet, returns in The Scarecrow and gets tangled up with another serial killer. Through the old-school journalist, Connelly gives the reader a glimpse into the world of newspaper reporting and it’s state of decline. It’s a gripping and suspenseful novel that’s a step above most crime thrillers.

The Lost Symbol by Dan Brown

Dan Brown’s books get a lot of criticism and certain people like to claim that his blockbusters are killing the publishing industry. I say whatever gets people reading is a good thing and I thought The Lost Symbol was a highly entertaining read (full review). It presented interesting information about the founding fathers and the Freemasons in an accessible way. It also inspired me to read more about noetic science, a topic I had never heard of until this book. Any book that compels me to read more is definitely a success.

This Charming Man by Marian Keyes

This Charming Man is my favorite chick-lit book of 2009 (read full review here). Marian Keyes is one of my favorite authors because she writes about emotional issues, like depression, in such a real way since it’s something she’s dealt with in her own life. In This Charming Man, her characters face domestic abuse and alcoholism, and she explores the emotions that accompany these problems. It’s darker than her previous novels, but there are still plenty of funny moments where Keyes displays her great sense of humor.

The Neighbor by Lisa Gardner

The Neighbor is one of the best audiobooks I listened to this year (read full review here). It stands out because it’s spine-tingling suspense kept me up late for several nights listening to the book on my iPod. The story is read by three very talented narrators who delivered great performances. The Neighbor was the perfect thriller for me because it created a lot of tension but wasn’t so scary that it gave me nightmares.

Official Book Club Selection: A Memoir According to Kathy Griffin

Kathy Griffin’s memoir is my favorite non-fiction book of the year (read full review here). I love how Kathy isn’t afraid to tell it like it is or call out hypocrisy when she sees it, no matter how many people she pisses off. Despite its hilarious title, Official Book Club Selection didn’t make in into Oprah’s book club, but who cares? Kathy’s the queen of the D-list and her devoted fans wouldn’t have it any other way.

Kathryn Stockett tackles the issue of racial segregation in 1960′s era Jackson, Mississippi in her debut novel, The Help. It’s about the black maids who did so much work in white households: cooking, cleaning, and raising the children, but were treated poorly and paid very little. The story is told from the perspective of three different women, one white and two black, against the backdrop of the civil rights movement. These women feel that change is possible and they risk everything to bring it about. Despite the topic, the book is not a downer – yes it’s sad at times, but it’s also funny and made me laugh out loud more than once. It’s amazing to me to see how far our country has come in 40 some years in terms of both race and gender inequalities.

Skeeter Phelan is a twenty-two-year-old returning home from Ole Miss with, much to her mother’s chagrin, a diploma rather than a husband. Her friends all left college early to get married and start families, but Skeeter has ambitions to have a career as a writer. The family’s maid, Constantine, raised Skeeter and the two formed a strong bond, almost like family. Skeeter is devastated when she finds out Constantine has suddenly left and nobody will tell her where she went.

Aibileen and Minny are two maids who work for Skeeter’s friends and they are best friends. Aibileen has raised 17 white children and one of her own, but her son died and she is grieving his loss. She works for Skeeter’s friend Elizabeth and is attached to two-year-old Mae Mobley. Elizabeth can barely stand the sight of her own daughter, so, with heartbreaking tenderness, Aibileen takes it upon herself to make sure Mae Mobley knows that she is loved. Aibileen is a wonderful character and so real that she just comes to life from the pages of the book.

While Aibileen is calm and patient, Minny is the exact opposite. Minny is short-tempered and sassy – which is why she’s always getting fired. Minny is hilarious and she isn’t a big fan of Gone With the Wind. She says, “If I’d played Mammy, I’d of told Scarlett to stick those green draperies up her white little pooper. Make her own damn man-catching dress.” Her story takes a serious turn when it’s revealed that Minny is balancing five children and an abusive husband.

Inspired by Constantine and with some small encouragement from an editor in New York, Skeeter decides to write a book that tells the stories of black maids in Mississippi. She says, “Everyone knows how we white people feel, the glorified Mammy figure who dedicates her whole life to a white family. Margaret Mitchell covered that. But no one ever asked Mammy how she felt about it.” Skeeter soon finds it’s difficult to get the maids to trust her and open up about their experiences. Young and naïve, she doesn’t understand the danger of what she’s doing until Aibileen and Minny explain it to her. If they decide to tell their stories, they are risking not only their jobs, but also their lives and the lives of their families.

Narrated in turn by each of the three ladies, the reader gets to see what it’s like to be a black woman and a white woman in Jackson, Mississippi in the 1960s. The racism and intolerance are simply appalling. These qualities are personified in the character of Hilly Holbrook, the president of the Junior League and queen bee of Jackson. She’s made it her mission to have separate bathrooms installed in white homes for The Help to use and ferret out any “integrationists” in her midst. She also has it out for Minny who she falsely accuses of stealing. Self-righteous and wielding her small bit of power, Hilly is a pitch perfect and realistic villain that you will love to hate.

I listened to the audiobook version of The Help and I highly recommend it. The four female narrators deliver great performances with authentic southern accents (to my Yankee ears anyway). One complaint that I’ve heard about the book is that the black characters’ dialogue is written in a heavy dialect (Example: “Oh Law, I think, please don’t let this be any a my peoples”). I can’t really comment on that too much since I listened to, rather than read, the book. Though I do question why the white characters’ voices weren’t written phonetically too because you just know that those ladies had thick southern accents.

Beside the amazingly real characters, The Help also has storylines that will just suck you in. It’s practically addictive – when I wasn’t reading it, all I could think about was getting back to it. The touching stories of love between the maids and the white families were heartwarming and sent a powerful message about how we are more alike than different. The stories of racism and hate are a reminder of our country’s history and how far we’ve come in the past 40 years. If you can’t tell by now, I just loved The Help and can’t recommend it enough. Even if it’s not the type of book you usually go for, give it a try, you might be surprised. It would also be an excellent choice for book clubs.

Buy The Help by Kathryn Stockett on Amazon.